An earthquake rocked Pakistan’s southern Balochistan province early on Thursday, October 7 killing at least 20 people.
Women and toddlers were among the victims. The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.9 and struck at a depth of only 9 kilometres.
“I have ordered immediate assistance on an emergency basis for the Harnai, Balochistan, earthquake victims & for an immediate assessment of the damage for timely relief & compensation.” Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote on Twitter.
At least 150 people were hurt, with some of them being carried to the hospital in critical condition. Military physicians and paramedics were dispatched to earthquake-stricken areas within hours of the tragedy to assist with rescue efforts.
Pakistan army helicopter airlifted several severely injured persons to Quetta, the provincial capital. According to Reuters, several patients were treated on stretchers with doctors using phones as flashlights.
Hundreds of people have been displaced as more than 100 mud dwellings collapsed and a huge number of structures were destroyed.
